A Beginner's Guide to Eclipses in 2018 and How They Can Affect Your Life

Each month, we can depend on the moon’s consistent cycle: The velvety darkness of the new moon, the vivid illumination of the full moon, and everything in between. But every so often, the moon’s orbit creates a powerful alignment with the sun, forming a potent lunation known as an eclipse.

Eclipses are dynamic cosmic occurrences that activate the lunar nodes. Simply put, the moon glides across an elliptical that is constantly rotating around the zodiac. The highest and lowest points of this orbit correspond with the lunar nodes, which appear in our birth charts as south and north nodes. The south and north nodes, often referred to as the “Nodes of Fate,” symbolize our past and future — our karmic pathway. Accordingly, eclipses activate these nodes within our birth charts, illuminating our destiny. So, yeah, eclipses are a pretty big deal.

But even though eclipses are major, they’re actually not that rare. In fact, each year, there are between three and seven eclipses, which often occur in clusters. Since 2016, the eclipses have been electrifying the Leo-Aquarius axis, shifting our public perception of leadership (symbolized by Leo) and humanity (represented by Aquarius) — sounds about right, doesn’t it?

The Leo-Aquarius eclipses continue this summer, with a lunar eclipse in Aquarius on Friday, July 27 and solar eclipse in Leo on Saturday, August 11. The final eclipse on this axis will occur on January 21, 2019, when a total lunar eclipse at 0º Leo concludes this two and a half year cycle.

But while the Leo-Aquarius eclipses wind down, a new eclipse series is just getting started. On Thursday, July 12 the night sky was electrified by a solar eclipse at 20º Cancer. This is the very first lunation of a cycle that will continue through July 5, 2020. As we begin a brand new eclipse series, we're given a perfect opportunity to explore the significance of these dynamic lunar phenomena. Behold, cosmic warriors: Your comprehensive eclipse guide ahead.

What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?

There are two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. Solar eclipses occur during the new moon phase when the sun and moon are positioned at the exact same degree within the same zodiac sign. In this configuration, the moon passes between the sun and earth, temporarily obscuring the sun. If this occurs during daylight (as it did last August, during the “Great American Eclipse”) the result is breathtaking: For several moments, the sun is completely obscured by moon’s silhouette.

Lunar eclipses, on the other hand, correspond with the full moon phase. But, unlike a normal full moon that reflects the sun’s illumination, during a lunar eclipse, the moon emanates the Earth’s shadow (known as the umbra). With Earth perfectly wedged between the sun and moon, the moon exudes a tawny red tone — this distinctive hue is why it is often referred to as a “Blood Moon.”

What do eclipses do?

These dynamic lunar phenomena were feared by our ancient ancestors. Early human civilizations built their societies around season changes and annual movements of the sun, so when an eclipse occurred, they believed that the natural order had been compromised. To them, eclipses were a harbinger of danger — quite specifically, the apocalypse. Although we no longer connect these lunations to end days, astrologically speaking, eclipses are still a very big deal.

Just as new moons are linked to beginnings and full moons are tied to culminations, eclipses serve as celestial checkpoints. An eclipse is a high-octane lunation that helps illuminate our karmic path, but just as these cosmic events can be visually striking, eclipses can be a bit dramatic. Astrologically speaking, eclipses speed up time: They open new doors by slamming others shut, so we often find abrupt and sudden shifts occurring during eclipses. Though the shifts can be jarring, eclipses help us by speeding up the inevitable.

So, if you’ve been dragging your feet, eclipses will be sure to give you that extra push (or shove) needed to take action. While the results of eclipses can be shocking, remember that these lunations simply expedite the inevitable — these events were going to happen eventually.

Remember that endings are hard, but everything is cyclical: a
culmination always occurs on the edge of a beginning.

Solar eclipses, which occur this summer on Thursday, July 12 and Saturday, August 11, correspond with new beginnings and unexpected opportunities. However, since the sun (which symbolizes our external experience) is obscured by the moon (representing our emotional inner-world during this lunation, solar eclipse events often first begin internally. For many people, solar eclipses are when we realize we need more than what we’re currently receiving, and we send cosmic invitations to the universe to welcome abundance.

Lunar eclipses, one of which is happening on Friday, July 27, help us realize the external implications of these shifts. It is often during a lunar eclipse that we become aware of the others’ influence. As the moon emits a mystifying umber tone, it allows us to be people’s “true color” under a different light. This shift in perspective is critical — though you may not always like what you see. During lunar eclipses, we are encouraged to let go of whatever is no longer serving the soul. This is the time to release, purge, and say goodbye. Remember, cosmic warriors, endings are hard, but everything is cyclical: a culmination always occurs on the edge of a beginning.

What do these eclipses mean for me?

OK, so what does this all actually mean? Interestingly, because this summer’s eclipses occur on two different axes (Cancer-Capricorn and Leo-Aquarius, respectively) the upcoming eclipses will have different impacts on your birth chart.

When astrologers discuss these lunations, we refer to the ways in which they impact a chart as an “eclipse story.” These narratives unfold over the series of eclipse (approximately two years). Accordingly the partial solar eclipse in Cancer on Thursday, July 12 is a big deal because it was the first lunation in a brand new series. In other words, it’s the very first chapter of a new karmic story. Pay close attention to what is occurring in your life at this time: Who are the characters? What is the setting? The conflicts? Be sure to write down your current circumstances, because you can be sure to anticipate some major pivots over the next two years.

It takes approximately nine years for the lunar nodes (which trigger eclipses) to orbit the zodiac, so the last time we experienced eclipses on the Cancer-Capricorn axis was 2009 through 2011. In fact, Thursday’s eclipse is directly connected to an eclipse that occurred on July 11, 2010. Think back to that time — it may provide clues as to how this upcoming eclipse series will impact you.

Pay close attention to what is occurring in your life at this time —
you can be sure to anticipate some major pivots over the next two
years.

On the other hand, the lunar eclipse in Aquarius on Friday, July 27 and solar eclipse in Leo on Saturday, August 11 correspond with eclipse series that began on August 18, 2016. After these, there will be only one more eclipse on this axis (on January 21, 2019), so this story is beginning to come to a close. What has happened over the past two years, cosmic warrior? What changes have occurred in your life? Perhaps you’ve learned how to create interpersonal boundaries, advocate for yourself in the professional sector, or discovered a deeper understanding of your self-worth. Eclipses help guide us forward, so as we prepare for these upcoming eclipses, consider ways you can continue pushing towards your goals.

Everyone will be impacted by these eclipses, though some charts will be electrified more than others. Take a look at your birth chart: If your lunar nodes (those little symbols that look like horseshoes) are in Leo-Aquarius or Taurus-Scorpio, these past two years have likely been bonkers filled with lots of karmic shifts. If your lunar nodes are in Cancer-Capricorn or Aries-Libra, buckle up. Beginning on Thursday, July 27, these next two years are going to be wild. By 2020, everything will be different — and don’t worry, it will be for the better.

If your nodes are not in these signs, you’re still not off the hook: planets are also activated by the eclipses. Planets in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) will continue to be electrified by the Leo-Aquarius eclipses, whereas planets in cardinal signs(Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) will be activated by the Cancer-Capricorn eclipses that are just beginning.

Whether or not these upcoming eclipses are making a direct hit on your birth chart, eclipses are a powerful, impactful, and significant time for everyone. The best way to embrace these celestial moments? Expect the unexpected, and accept the unknown. Remember, celestial darlings, although our vantage is limited to our current realities, we know the horizon extends past our vision. Life is a journey — enjoy the ride.